Lion of the Desert (Omar Mukhtar) poster & wallpaper
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Anthony Quinn, Oliver Reed, Rod Steiger, John Gielgud, Irene Papas ... see more see more... , Raf Vallone , Gastone Moschin , Takis Emmanuel , Stefano Patrizi , Robert Brown , Eleonora Stathopoulou , Andrew Keir , Rodolfo Bigotti , Gianfranco Barra , Lino Capolicchio , Luciano Catenacci , Sky Dumont , Mario Feliciani , Claudio Gora , Adolfo Lastretti , Alec Mango , Ewen Solon , George Sweeney , Pietro Tordi , Franco Fantasia , Mark Colleano , Victor Baring

Libyan leader Moummar Quaddafi financed this desert epic about a Libyan hero who helped his nation fend off an Italian invasion in 1929. Anthony Quinn stars as Omar Mukhtar, who organizes Libyan force... read more read more...s to hold off the encroaching Italian troops under General Rodolfo Graziana (Oliver Reed), who are trying to gain a foothold on Libyan soil under direct orders from the Italian dictator Mussolini (Rod Steiger). With the persistence of Mukhtar, the Libyans, battling the tanks and guns of the Italian army with their Bedouin troops on horseback, managed to hold off y the Italians for twenty years, until Mukhtar was finally captured and executed. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi

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90% liked it

3,529 ratings

Critics

80% liked it

5 critics

PG, 2 hr. 42 min.

Directed by: Moustapha Akkad

Release Date: April 17, 1981

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DVD Release Date: July 7, 1998

 

Stats: 173 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (173)

  • fb50316760
    January 26, 2012
    fb50316760
    Underrated epic war movie on the end of Libya's resistance to Italy. Everything works and best of all the history is not even that far off. Oliver Reed makes for a great villain, combing charisma with a ruthless drive. The part where the tanks run people over is gruesome and horr... read moreifying.
  • ihaveadreamm
    June 13, 2008
    ihaveadreamm
    a good movie..Moustapha Akkad is the only one who presented "our" religion and culture to the world,how sad and ironic that he was killed coz of those who call themselves '"Islamists"

View All Lion of the Desert (Omar Mukhtar) Reviews

Critic Reviews

Dennis Schwartz
July 18, 2011
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews

It's one of the best anti-colonial Hollywood film ever (almost on a par with the Battle of Algiers). Full Review

Louis Proyect
November 18, 2006
Louis Proyect, rec.arts.movies.reviews

An anti-colonial work that resonates with the struggle in Iraq today. Full Review

Clint Morris
March 18, 2006
Clint Morris, Film Threat

A grand epic adventure that'll stand as a highpoint in the producing career of Moustapha Akkad

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
January 31, 2004
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice

Lion of the Desert portrays a heroic figure who understands and exemplifies the spiritual dimensions of freedom. Full Review

Vincent Canby
August 30, 2004
Vincent Canby, New York Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Emanuel Levy
November 9, 2005
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

No review available.

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Lion of the Desert (Omar Mukhtar) Trivia

  • Which actor acted as the Governor of Libya tasked to crush the rebellion headed by Omar Mukhtar in the 1981 war movie "Lion of the Desert"?  Answer »
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